The Jalan Kayu Chinese temple surrounded by HDB flats. Driven by the rising cost of public land earmarked for places of worship, three Taoist and one Buddhist temple came together in 2006 to successfully bid for the land lease in Sengkang after several failed attempts by the individual temples. -- ST PHOTO: CHEW SENG KIM

The Jalan Kayu Chinese temple surrounded by HDB flats. Driven by the rising cost of public land earmarked for places of worship, three Taoist and one Buddhist temple came together in 2006 to successfully bid for the land lease in Sengkang after several failed attempts by the individual temples. -- ST PHOTO: CHEW SENG KIM

The Jalan Kayu Chinese temple surrounded by HDB flats. Driven by the rising cost of public land earmarked for places of worship, three Taoist and one Buddhist temple came together in 2006 to successfully bid for the land lease in Sengkang after several failed attempts by the individual temples. -- ST PHOTO: CHEW SENG KIM

Attendees celebrating the Renunciation Day of Guan Yin on the outskirts of Leong Nam Temple in Sengkang watch a getai performance on Nov 2, 2012. -- ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG

A devotee prays in front of a Guan Yin statue situated at a makeshift tent on the outskirts of Leong Nam Temple in Sengkang on Nov 2, 2012, to celebrate the renunciation day of Guan Yin. -- ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG

Attendees celebrating the renunciation day of Guan Yin on the outskirts of Leong Nam Temple in Sengkang watch a getai performance on Nov 2, 2012. -- ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG

Attendees celebrating the Renunciation Day of Guan Yin on the outskirts of Leong Nam Temple in Sengkang watch a getai performance on Nov 2, 2012. -- ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG

Devotees pray in front of a Guan Yin statue situated at a makeshift tent on the outskirts of Leong Nam Temple in Sengkang on Nov 2, 2012, to celebrate the Renunciation Day of Guan Yin. -- ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG

Getai singer Liu Ling Ling pictured during her performance during the celebrations of the Renunciation Day of Guan Yin on the outskirts of Leong Nam Temple on Nov 2, 2012. -- ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG

Attendees celebrating the Renunciation Day of Guan Yin on the outskirts of Leong Nam Temple in Sengkang watch a getai performance on Nov 2, 2012. -- ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG

A vendor selling childrens' toys sits at his makeshift stall on the outskirts of Leong Nam Temple in Sengkang during the celebrations of the Renunciation Day of Guan Yin on Nov 2, 2012. -- ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG

The Jalan Kayu Chinese temple surrounded by HDB flats. Driven by the rising cost of public land earmarked for places of worship, three Taoist and one Buddhist temple came together in 2006 to successfully bid for the land lease in Sengkang after several failed attempts by the individual temples. -- ST PHOTO: CHEW SENG KIM

The Jalan Kayu Chinese temple surrounded by HDB flats. Driven by the rising cost of public land earmarked for places of worship, three Taoist and one Buddhist temple came together in 2006 to successfully bid for the land lease in Sengkang after several failed attempts by the individual temples. -- ST PHOTO: CHEW SENG KIM

The Jalan Kayu Chinese temple surrounded by HDB flats. Driven by the rising cost of public land earmarked for places of worship, three Taoist and one Buddhist temple came together in 2006 to successfully bid for the land lease in Sengkang after several failed attempts by the individual temples. -- ST PHOTO: CHEW SENG KIM

A devotee prays in front of a Guan Yin statue situated at a makeshift tent on the outskirts of Leong Nam Temple in Sengkang on Nov 2, 2012, to celebrate the renunciation day of Guan Yin. -- ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG

Devotees pray in front of a Guan Yin statue situated at a makeshift tent on the outskirts of Leong Nam Temple in Sengkang on Nov 2, 2012, to celebrate the Renunciation Day of Guan Yin. -- ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG

A vendor selling childrens' toys sits at his makeshift stall on the outskirts of Leong Nam Temple in Sengkang during the celebrations of the Renunciation Day of Guan Yin on Nov 2, 2012. -- ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG

Off Jalan Kayu, four temples occupy the same plot of land, and right smack beside a new HDB estate.

Driven by the rising cost of public land earmarked for places of worship, three Taoist and one Buddhist temple came together in 2006 to successfully bid for the land lease in Sengkang after several failed attempts by the individual temples.